Key takeaways
- Finding a stray cat is a difficult situation to navigate. It's natural to want to help them, but we often don't know the best and safest way to do this.
- The first step is to identify whether they are a stray or a feral cat.
- If they are stray, follow our steps to provide the help they need.
- If they are feral, follow our advice and call the correct organizations to come and care for the cat safely.
Stray cats vs feral cats
'Stray' and 'feral' are often used interchangeably when discussing homeless cats. However, they are terms that refer to very different cats, and it's important to know the difference.
Identifying a stray cat
A stray cat refers to a cat that has, at some point, lived indoors and been socialized with people. They have then found themselves living outdoors or on the street either because they have been neglected and abandoned, or they have chosen to leave.
A stray cat will often be confident around people. This doesn't necessarily mean that they will be fond of people or want attention and cuddles, but they are unlikely to be aggressive.
With time and patience, a stray may approach you or allow physical contact. In some cases, they may be super friendly straight away!
They may also look underweight, and their coats may be dirty or matted, but they are unlikely to look completely neglected.
With time and patience, a stray may approach you or allow physical contact. In some cases, they may be super friendly straight away!
Identifying a feral cat
A feral cat is one that lives and survives with no human contact. They are self-sufficient and have always lived alone outdoors, so they have never been socialized with people.
Feral cats will usually behave very aggressively towards people. Alternatively, they will be very fearful and run away to hide if a human tries to make contact with them.
Because they rely on their own hunting and finding their own shelter, they may look very neglected. This can result in:
- Dull, dirty, and matted coat
- Underweight
- Visible effects of fleas and other parasites
- Injuries left untreated from territory fights
What to do when you find a stray cat
Stumbling upon a stray cat can be some people's dream (like me). However, it's important that we follow the right protocol so they are taken care of responsibly.
1. Make sure they aren't a pet
The first step is to make sure they aren't a pet. Outdoor/indoor cats that don't wear collars or ID tags can be easy to mistake as a stray.
Take the following steps to rule this out:
- Ask your neighbors: Start by taking a picture of the cat and knocking on your neighbors' doors to see if they recognize them.
- Post on social media: If any neighbors don't claim the kitty, they may be a pet that belongs to someone further away. A great way to spread the message further is to post the photos on local social media groups. Provide extra details about the cat's behavior and physical traits so they are easy to identify.
Of course, this won't always get back to the owner if there is one. So, use your own judgment as well. If they are:
- Well groomed
- Socialized and friendly
- Healthy looking
They are unlikely to be living on the street.
2. If you can, take them to a veterinarian
Once you have determined that they are in fact a stray cat and not a lost pet, you should take them a local veterinarian practice to have them checked over. Here, they can also scan for a microchip to double check they don't already have an owner.
If they are a friendly stray cat, then you should be able to get them safely into an animal carrier. To make it easier, use the following steps:
- Place the carrier down on the floor
- Put treats at the back of it
- Take some steps back and let the cat enter the carrier
- Once they are in, zip it up/close it
This may distress them initially, so try to keep them calm by talking to them and keeping them in a quiet place.
3. If you can't, contact local animal control
Even if your stray cat is confident and friendly, they may still refuse to go anywhere near a carrier. And when a cat has made their mind up, it's pretty difficult to change it!
Forcing the cat into a carrier is a bad idea. This may frighten them and cause them to run away or become aggressive, putting you in danger.
Instead, contact the local animal control agency and report the kitty. They will come and use a humane trap to capture the cat safely and then take them for a checkup.
Forcing the cat into a carrier is a bad idea. This may frighten them and cause them to run away or become aggressive, putting you in danger.
4. After, take them to a local animal shelter
Sometimes, a veterinary practice may take the cat to a local animal shelter themselves. However, often, they will return the cat to you and advise what your next steps should be.
Taking them to an animal shelter is an important step. This is because they can check any reports of missing cats that may match your stray cat. If there are no reports, then if it's appropriate, they can put the cat up for adoption and try to rehome them to live a better life safely.
What to do when you find a feral cat
If you have identified the cat as a feral cat, then you should follow a different protocol to keep you and the cat safe.
1. Don't make contact
While stray cats are relatively safe, feral cats can be very aggressive. Approaching them and making contact may put you at risk of being scratched or bitten. While this doesn't sound too bad, feral cats can carry diseases and infections that can be passed on in open wounds.
Not only can it be dangerous for you, but it can also distress and frighten the feral cat, which can cause them to run away.
Instead, keep your distance and observe them from afar. If you are with a group, it's best to have only one person stay. Otherwise, the cat may feel intimidated or frightened.
2. Assess if they are sick or injured
It's not appropriate to take feral cats to shelters to be rehomed. This is because it's very unlikely they'll ever be able to be resocialized to live indoors with humans if they have spent their lives outdoors. The only effective time to do this is if they are still kittens.
There may still be reason to intervene, however. If they are sick or injured, then animal rescue charities will take them in to be treated and give them the medicine they need.
When you are observing them, look out for the following:
- Limps
- Open wounds
- Redness or signs of infection on their skin
- Infected eyes
- Infected ears
3. Report them to animal control
If they are injured, report them either to animal control, a local shelter, or animal rescue groups. They will come and assess the situation.
Even if you don't see any injury, it's still important to report the feral cat or cats you saw, especially if there are kittens. This is because they may be able to neuter them.
Unneutered stray and feral cats can cause huge issues. They reproduce at rapid rates and contribute to the overpopulation of street cats that don't have access to the care they need to live a high-quality life. This is why many local rescue organizations operate a trap, neuter, return process for feral cats.
Can you keep a stray cat?
The short answer is yes, you can keep a stray cat. If you can prove that you have done all you can to try to find and contact the owners, then you are legally allowed to keep them.
If you are considering this, ask yourself the following questions:
- Can you afford to care for them?
- Do you have enough space at home for a cat?
- Do you have enough time to adequately care for a cat?
- Are you willing to spend time and effort socializing a stray cat and training them?
- Does owning a cat fit into your lifestyle and future plans?
If you are prepared to own a cat and understand that a stray cat may take more patience and effort to help them get comfortable in their new life, then keeping the cat may be the best option for both of you!
FAQs
Final thoughts
Finding a stray cat outdoors can be distressing for any animal lover. They can often look injured or sick, and our first instinct is to help them.
We hope this guide has helped you navigate a difficult situation and will lead to a stray cat getting the care and attention they need!
